System and method to allow an end user to create and maintain a sub workflow

Abstract

A first party, such as a service provider maintains a workflow, and defines at least one access point therein. The first party obtains, from a second party, such as an end user, a specification of at least one sub workflow, for insertion at the access point. The first party runs the workflow. The first party obtains, from the second party, an indication of identity of the second party. During the processing of the workflow, the first party executes the sub workflow, when the access point is reached, based on the indication of identity of the second party. The processing of the workflow thus produces a customized result for the second party.

1 . A method comprising the steps of:
 maintaining, by a first party, a workflow;   defining, in said workflow, at least one access point;   obtaining, from a second party, a specification of at least one sub workflow, for insertion at said access point;   processing, by said first party, said workflow;   obtaining, by said first party from said second party, an indication of identity of said second party; and   during said processing of said workflow, executing said sub workflow, by said first party, when said access point is reached, based on said indication of identity of said second party;   whereby said processing of said workflow produces a customized result for said second party.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first party comprises a service provider and said second party comprises an end user. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the additional step of validating said sub workflow, wherein said sub workflow is stored and made available for processing only when said validating is affirmative. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said workflow and said sub workflow are defined in business process execution language. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said obtaining said specification comprises the sub-steps of:
 providing a graphical user interface to said user; said graphical user interface offering said user a plurality of services; and   receiving from said user, via said interface, a sequence of said services, said sequence specifying said sub workflow.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said plurality of said services offered to said user depend on an identity of said user. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said obtaining said specification is carried out via an interactive voice response system. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said obtaining said specification is carried out by receiving, from said user, said specification of'said sub workflow in a scripting language. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said obtaining said specification is carried out by specification of said sub workflow based on selection of pre-defined subflows. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said obtaining said specification is carried out by sequencing of pre-defined subflows with a plurality of services. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said executing of said sub workflow is based on at least one additional factor besides said identity of said user. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one additional factor is time. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one additional factor is location. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said workflow specifies a manner of handling a telephone call, and wherein said customized result comprises handling said telephone call in accordance with said workflow as customized by said at least one sub workflow. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said workflow specifies a manner of ingesting digital media, and wherein said customized result comprises ingesting said digital media in accordance with said workflow as customized by said at least one sub workflow. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said sub workflow is shared by said end user with a group of associated users that is less than all users of said workflow. 
     
     
         17 . A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium including computer usable program code, said computer program product including:
 computer usable program code for maintaining, by a first party, a workflow;   computer usable program code for defining, in said workflow, at least one access point;   computer usable program code for obtaining, from a second party, a specification of at least one sub workflow, for insertion at said access point;   computer usable program code for processing, by said first party, said workflow;   computer usable program code for obtaining, by said first party from said second party, an indication of identity of said second party; and   computer usable program code for, during said processing of said workflow, executing said sub workflow, by said first party, when said access point is reached, based on said indication of identity of said second party;   whereby said processing of said workflow produces a customized result for said second party.   
     
     
         18 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein said first party comprises a service provider and said second party comprises an end user. 
     
     
         19 . The computer program product of  claim 18 , further comprising computer usable program code for validating said sub workflow, wherein said sub workflow is stored and made available for processing only when said validating is affirmative. 
     
     
         20 . The computer program product of  claim 19 , wherein said workflow specifies a manner of handling a telephone call, and wherein said customized result comprises handling said telephone call in accordance with said workflow as customized by said at least one sub workflow. 
     
     
         21 . The computer program product of  claim 19 , wherein said workflow specifies a manner of ingesting digital media, and wherein said customized result comprises ingesting said digital media in accordance with said workflow as customized by said at least one sub workflow. 
     
     
         22 . A system comprising:
 a memory; and   at least one processor, coupled to said memory, and operative to:
 maintain, by a first party, a workflow; 
 define, in said workflow, at least one access point; 
 obtain, from a second party, a specification of at least one sub workflow, for insertion at said access point; 
 process, by said first party, said workflow; 
 obtain, by said first party from said second party, an indication of identity of said second party; and 
 during said processing of said workflow, execute said sub workflow, by said first party, when said access point is reached, based on said indication of identity of said second party; 
   whereby said processing of said workflow produces a customized result for said second party.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said first party comprises a service provider and said second party comprises an end user. 
     
     
         24 . A system comprising:
 means for maintaining, by a first party, a workflow;   means for defining, in said workflow, at least one access point;   means for obtaining, from a second party, a specification of at least one sub workflow, for insertion at said access point;   means for processing, by said first party, said workflow;   means for obtaining, by said first party from said second party, an indication of identity of said second party; and   means for, during said processing of said workflow, executing said sub workflow, by said first party, when said access point is reached, based on said indication of identity of said second party;   whereby said processing of said workflow produces a customized result for said second party.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said first pasty comprises a service provider and said second party comprises an end user.